ILOILO – With Tropical Depression “Dante” entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and enhancing the southwest monsoon, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has kept Western Visayas under red alert to brace for potentially widespread flooding and landslides.
The red alert ensures that all regional and local response teams remain fully mobilized as the storm, in conjunction with the habagat, brings overcast skies, thunderstorms, and rainfall volumes of 50 to 100 millimeters across the region.
Authorities warn of possible localized flooding in low-lying and urban areas, and landslides in mountainous, previously affected zones.
“The RDRRMC Operations Center will remain in a red alert status,” the council said in a memorandum, adding that the measure is crucial for real-time weather monitoring and seamless inter-agency coordination as the threat of “Dante” looms.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers in provinces, cities, and municipalities have been instructed to activate their respective Incident Management Teams (IMTs) for immediate implementation of disaster response operations, including preemptive evacuations and resource deployment.
“Likewise, detailed duty officers from the 3rd Infantry Division, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV), Philippine National Police, and respective technical staff from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education (DepED), and Department of Health (DOH) are hereby required to render duty at the RDRRMOC pursuant to the approved RDRRMOC Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines (SOPG) 2024 edition,” the memo added.
The public is advised to stay alert, monitor official weather advisories, and prepare for possible disruptions due to heavy rain and strong winds./PN
